- December 16, 2024
Contents
| Sivastalam | Patteeswaram Thenu Puriswarar Temple |
|---|---|
| Moolavar | Dhenupureeswarar, Patteeswarar |
| Amman | Gnambikai, Palvalai Nayaki |
| Teertham | Gnana Vaavi |
| Puranic Name | Mazhapadi, Patteeswaram, Patteeswaram |
| Thala Vriksham | Vanni Tree |
| Village | Patteeswaram |
| District | Thanjavur |
Thennadudaiya Sivaney Potri
Ennaattavarkkum Iraivaa Potri
Patteeswaram Sri Dhenupureeswarar Temple is the 140th Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and the 23rd sthalam on the southern side of the River Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. This place was originally called Patteecharam and is now known as Patteeswaram, located on the banks of the Thirumalairajan River (T.R. Patnam River). Even though it is a Shiva temple, it is popularly known as the Durgai Amman Temple.
In Periya Puranam, Sekkizhar records that Thirugnanasambandar visited this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva at Thirusakthi Mutram. Sekkizhar further notes that Lord Shiva provided a pearl canopy, as described in the temple legend.
திருச்சத்தி முற்றத்தில்சென்று எய்தித் திருமலையான்
அருச்சித்த சேவடிகள் ஆர்வம்உறப் பணிந்து ஏத்திக்
கருச்சுற்றில் அடையாமல் கைதருவார் நிழல்பாடி
விருப்புற்றுத் திருப்பட்டீச் சுரம்பணிய மேவும்கால்
Thirugnanasambandar composed hymns in praise of Lord Shiva at this temple. From these hymns, it is learned that during Thirugnanasambandar’s time, this place, Patteeswaram, was also known as Mazhapadi.
பாடல் மறைசூடல் மதிபல் வளையொர் பாகமதில் மூன்றொர் கணையால்
கூடஎரியூட்டி எழில்காட்டி நிழல் கூட்டு பொழில்சூழ் பழைசையுள்
மாடமழபாடி யுறை பட்டிசர மேய கடிகட்டர வினார்
வேடநிலை கொண்டவரை வீடுநெறி காட்டிவினை நீடுமவரே
…….. திருஞானசம்பந்தர்
பத்தியுற்றோர்
முட்டீச் சுரத்தின் முயலா வகையருளும்
பட்டீச் சுரத்தெம் பராபரமே
…….. திருஅருட்பா
The temple faces east, with a 7-tier Rajagopuram on the south side. The Vinayagar Sannadhi, Dwajasthambam, and Balipeedam are located after the southern Rajagopuram. The Rishabam and Balipeedam are not aligned with the Moolavar. There is another 5-tier Rajagopuram on the south side of the sanctum sanctorum. The temple tank is situated in front of the sanctum sanctorum.
This temple is known as a Pancha Nandi Kshetra, as it houses five Rishabas, which are not positioned in a straight line. The Moolavar in the sanctum is a swayambhu (self-manifested). In the Koshtam, the deities include Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Durgai. The entrance of the Artha Mandapam features large stucco images of Dwarapalakas.
In the Praharam, the following deities can be found: Madhavarana Pillaiyar, Saptamatrikas, Renuka Devi, Swarna Vinayagar, Mahalingar, Bala Murugan, Shanmugar with six faces, Ramalingar, Mahalakshmi, the 63 Nayanmars (63var), Moovar, Thirugnanasambandar, Rama worshiping the Shiva Linga, Madavarna Pillayar, Shaniswarar, Suryan, Anjaneyar, Keerthivasa Perumal, Veda Lingam, Dhandapani, and Chandikeswarar. In the Artha Mandapam, there are beautiful images of Somaskandar and Thirugnanasambandar.
The Bhairavar in this temple is exquisitely chiseled and is worth admiring for its beauty. In the Maha Mandapam, there is an image of Govinda Deekshithar and his wife, who contributed to the temple’s renovation (Thiruppani). Ambal is enshrined in a separate sannadhi with a sanctum and an Artha Mandapam.
Sri Durgai Amman Temple is located immediately after the north-side 5-tier Rajagopuram. Although this is a Shiva temple, it is commonly identified as the Durgai Amman Temple by the local people.
It is believed that there was once a Durgai Amman temple at the northern entrance of the Chozha fort, where she served as the guarding deity. The Chozha kings, including Rajaraja Chozha, were ardent devotees of Durgai Amman. After the Chozhas were defeated and the fort was destroyed, the idol of Durgai Amman was relocated to its present site. Consequently, this Durgai Amman is known as “Sri Kottaivayil Durgai” (Durgai of the Fort Gate).
Durgai Amman is referred to by various names, including Vishnu Durgai, Durga Lakshmi, Navayoga Nayaki, Navakoti Nayaki, Navagraha Nayaki, Navaratri Nayaki, and Navasakthi Nayaki. The deity is depicted with a pleasant expression, standing on Mahishasuran. Durgai Amman has eight hands (Ashtabhuja), three eyes, and wears Kundalam (ear ornaments). Her vahana, Simham (lion), is depicted on her left side.
The sanctum sanctorum comprises a sanctum, antarala, artha mandapam, and maha mandapam. A bas-relief depicting Kamadhenu worshiping Lord Shiva can be seen on one of the pillars.
This place was historically known as Mazhapadi (as mentioned in the Thevara Hymns), Patteecharam, Devivanam, and Sakthivanam.
During the Chozha period, Patteeswaram was part of Pazhayarai, which served as a capital for the Chozha dynasty when they ruled this region under the Pallava kings. After the Chozhas defeated the Pallavas, it became their second capital. The palace that existed at the time is now referred to as “Chozhanmaligai.” In the 7th-century Chozha period, the villages Muzhaiyur, Patteeswaram, Sakthimutram, and Chozhanmaligai were part of Pazhayarai and functioned as army camps.
Pazhayarai had four temples, known as Vada Thali, Merthali, Keelthali, and Thenthali. The T.R. Patnam River (Thirumalai Rayan River) flows to the south, while the Arasalar River flows to the north of Pazhayarai. This temple is referred to as Pazhayarai Vada Thali because it is located on the northern side of the Pazhayarai River. It is believed that a coin minting facility called “Nanaya Salai” once existed at the site of the present-day Kambatta Viswanathar Temple.
The inscriptions in this temple are recorded in two parts:
During the reign of the Vijayanagara king Sri Veera Pratapa Devarayar, inscriptions record the construction of a sacred temple tank and a mandapam. Provisions were also made for temple worship, and a land parcel measuring 4 ma and mukkani was gifted to the temple for this purpose.
An inscription from the reign of Vijayanagara king Vira Devaraya II records an endowment for evening services, made by Venkata Dikshitha, the son of Koneri Bhatta of the Vasishta Gotra. For this purpose, 9.5 veli of land was donated to the temple.
Additionally, a dispute arose in the village regarding the first Thamboolam (betel leaf offering) during marriage ceremonies—specifically, whether it should be given to the Chettiars or the Pattu Noolkaras (silk weavers). It was decided that the first Thamboolam would be offered to the temple’s Amman, along with a saree, before being distributed to both groups.
Patti, the daughter of Kamadhenu, worshiped Lord Shiva at this temple. Hence, the place is called Patteecharam, and Lord Shiva is known as Patteeswarar and Dhenupureeswarar in Sanskrit.
According to legend, Ma Parvati performed penance at this place. The Devas transformed into trees to protect her during her penance. Kamadhenu sent her daughter Patti to assist Ma Parvati. Pleased with Ma Parvati’s devotion, Lord Shiva appeared with jadamudi (matted hair) and blessed her.
During a hot summer noon, when Thirugnanasambandar arrived at Patteeswaram after worshiping Lord Shiva at Thirusakthimutram, Lord Shiva instructed the Shiva Ganas to create a “Pearl Canopy” (முத்துப் பந்தல்) to shield Thirugnanasambandar from the sun’s heat.
வெம்மை தருவேனிலிடை வெயில் வெப்பம் தணிப்பதற்கு
மும்மை நிலைத் தமிழ்விரகர் முடிமீதே சிவபூதம்
தம்மை அறியாதபடி தண்தரளப் பந்தர் எடுத்து
எம்மை விடுத்து அருள்புரிந்தார் பட்டீசர் என்று இயம்ப
There are five Rishabas (bulls) in this temple, which are not in a straight line. It is believed that Lord Shiva asked the bulls to move aside to allow Thirugnanasambandar to enter.
Lord Rama, while returning from worshiping Lord Shiva at Rameswaram, visited this temple. Using his bow, he created a water source called Kodi Theertham and worshiped Lord Shiva. This theertham is considered equivalent to Dhanushkodi Theertham. There is also a sannidhi for Ramalingeswarar in the temple. Every year, in the Tamil month of Margazhi (December–January), a festival is celebrated to commemorate this event.
Viswamitra obtained the title of “Brahma Rishi” at this temple. Markandeya also worshiped Lord Shiva here.
Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted for the Muthu Pandal Festival on the first day of Aani (June–July) and Theerthavari in the Kodi Theertham on the full moon day of Margazhi (December–January) to commemorate the event of Lord Rama being relieved from the Chayahasti Dosha (specific affliction).
In addition to these, the following festivals and rituals are celebrated:
Arulmigu Dhenupureeswarar Temple is open daily from 6:00 AM to 12:30 PM in the morning and from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM in the evening.
Patteeswaram Temple Contact Number: +914352416976.
How to Reach Patteeswaram Temple?
Patteeswaram is on the route from Kumbakonam to Avoor Road. Town buses 8, 11, 25, 35, 61, 62, and 67 are available from Kumbakonam. Buses from Kumbakonam to Thanjavur pass through Patteeswaram.
The temple is 8 km from Kumbakonam, 39 km from Thanjavur, and 301 km from Chennai. The nearest railway station is Kumbakonam.
Arulmigu Thenupuriswarar Temple,
Patteeswaram Anchal,
Kumbakonam Taluk,
Thanjavur District,
PIN – 612703.
